Following an active planning and preparation processes over the last three years since 2006, the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Molefi Sefularo, has announced officially his intentions to conduct a series of inspection visits to the stadiums and host cities to inspect health, clinical and emergency medical services in all nine provinces to check their state of readiness for 2010 FIFA World Cup.
As far as possible, the inspections will take place during matches so that there is practical observation of the facilities and services prepared for the 2010 FIFA tournament. As baseline, Dr Sefularo visited Polokwane, visited Limpopo on Saturday, 23 January 2010 to begin the initial in a series of executive and technical inspections to be conducted at each the host stadium and city.
The inspection was conducted on the margins of the official opening of the Peter Mokaba stadium. The deputy minister was accompanied by the surgeon general of the South African Military Health Services (SAHMS). The inspection started with a presentation of the state of readiness to the deputy minister, MEC Ms Miriam Sekgabutla, the Premier’s Office and the City of Polokwane, held at the Limpopo Department of Health and Social Development.
It was followed by a visit to Mankweng hospital, a stop at the Emergency Medical Services Centre and ended an inspection of the medical centers at the Peter Mokaba stadium. The province has organised 85 ambulances to be dispatched on major routes and Fan Park with the capacity of 30 000 people. Some 65 Quantum vehicles, eight medical response vehicles and five disaster buses have also been organised.
“Limpopo is well on its way to being ready for the tournament. I would put the preparations and other details to be at about ninety percent. In addition to satisfactory preparations observed here, we are already beginning to see the legacy benefits that will remain with our people long after the games have ended,” Deputy Minister said after a three hour inspection.
For example: Mankweng hospital is ready to provide trauma and emergency medical services, theatre services, Intensive Care unit (ICU) and high care. Mankweng hospital has eight consulting rooms, resuscitation room with four beds. For more beds, the province will use Lebowakgomo and Mokopane, 51 kilometres and 60 kilometres away from the stadium respectively.
In addition MediClinic private hospital with 10 ICU and four high care beds will also provide support. Both public and private have a total of 21 theatres combined all within proximity. There are also support structures as follows:
* Aero-medical services are operational, helipads operational in all support hospitals
* Radiology services are available 24 hours
* Victim Empowerment Centre (Thuthuzela Centre) fully functional 24 hours
* Forensic trained personnel
The Peter Mokaba stadium has got all the required areas for the treatment of the FIFA family, all VIPs and the spectators who will be attending the games. In addition, the stadium has a state of the art control operations room that will facilitate communication and coordination among all the key agencies charged with the safety and well being of those who will be attending the tournament games.
Deputy Minister Sefularo said: “During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, thousands of sportsmen and sportswomen, officials, spectators and tourists will visit our country from all over the world. It is our responsibility to ensure that any of our visitors needing healthcare will find our health services adequate and responsive. We have put systems in place to mitigate the risks of injuries, including those that might arise during mass gatherings. We are prepared and have put systems in place to prevent and treat communicable diseases.”
“The implementation of our plans as part of the soccer tournament will leave a lasting legacy for South Africans, particularly in the areas of emergency medical services, revitalisation of hospitals, recruitment and training of emergency medical services personnel, improvement of the level of care, strengthening services at the ports of entry, improve disease surveillance and forensic pathology services,” added Dr Sefularo.
Enquiries:
Charity Bhengu
Cell: 083 679 7424
Issued by: Department of Health
24 January 2010
Source: Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.za/)
